Nepal Earthquake - Three startling videos

Effect of Nepal Earthquake felt in Lucknow

 

Vadodara Central Bus Station - Most Beautiful most artistic Food Court I ever saw

The New Bus Station in Vadodara is inside a Shopping Mall complex, which has the most artistically designed food court. Bus station itself is designed in such a way to provide hassle-free environment and smooth flow of Passengers and traffic. When I first saw it I thought it was out of a classic Hollywood movie. I posted pictures of food court on my Facebook wall and my friends just loved it.

Romancing in the Gwalior Fort

Its a long walk from the Bazaars where the Taxi drops you to the Fort's massive doors atop the hill. It's a uphill tiring walk unless you hire a vehicle to take you up inside the fort's walls. As you reach its doors you are rewarded by the panoramic view of Gwalior city. Fort looks beautiful with lovely blue colours painted on its walls in an intricate design.

Gwalior fort is really vast with two museums and two parts of fort controlled by ASI and Madhya Pradesh government. The part controlled by MP government has been irresponsibly defaced by citizens scribbling their names or silly messages. Obviously love-sick couples immortalizing their names by writing them on walls having no regards for their heritage.

Anyways I was struck by its desolation and vastness and the views you get from here plus the high speed wind that tries its best to topple you if you are on one of the outposts on roofs. I took utmost care not to disturb romancing couples having intimate moments of love in secluded corners of these ruins even witnessing a lover's quarrel. These desolate ruins surely attract love-birds.

I found poor little kids selling popcorns and snacks, and then a bunch of three happy kids requesting me to take a picture of them. There are two great Museums here so I would say you need at least two days to see the fort and Museum properly. As I was a leaving, a Bus with a batch of foreign tourist came in, few ladies from Spain were delighted by a little child in his mother's arms and spend quite a while fussing over him.

Since its a vast place with centuries of history its better to have a guide with you. Gwalior is 3 hours away from Agra and easily accessible. Its a place you must visit and its a easy journey being close to Delhi, Agra or Jaipur.

 

Beautiful City of Baroda or Vadodara

I visited this clean historical city this April 10 th,and was fascinated by Sayaji Baug Park,Central Bus Station build inside a Mall and Laxmi Vilas Palace.Food and delicacies from all over Gujarat are available in the shops.Sayaji Gaekwad's contribution to this great city is so evident especially in the field of female literacy. Women seem more liberated and confident.Streets I walked were really clean and staff at Laxmi Vilas Palace really friendly.

Sayaji Park is a great place to spend the day as it has a toy train,interesting Zoo and Picture Gallery and a Planetarium too. Its the most romantic place I ever visited with romantic couples in every shady nook, day dreaming under the clear blue skies.

Dabeli is so tasty available in the food court of Bus Station Mall. Kulfi really mouth-watering in Sayaji Gunj.Chaach (Butter-milk) and Lemonade really great summer-coolers. Bus Station and Railway station are directly in front of each other still never saw any traffic chaos.

 

You must visit Vadodara if you want to see Champaner-Pavagadh Archaelogical Park now a UNESCO world Heritage Site.Its ruins lie among Village farm lands in a rustic setting and its so peaceful to wander around on these desolate roads and Pavagadh hills right in front with clouds almost touching its top. Pavagadh Bus station is just in front and 50 Kms away from Vadodara.Ruins of Pavagadh

Statues and sculptures and Laxmi Vilas Palace make you realize western influence on Royalty and architecture during British Raj.

Toy Train
Deers of Sayaji Park
Toy Train in Night
Langurs in Sayaji Park